Resistance training with barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells and other weights. Questions involving how to lift and maximizing lifting performance. Includes powerlifting, bodybuilding and Olympic lifting.
7
votes
6answers
690 views
Any trick to make going to the gym less intimidating?
I went to the gym last week, and the experience was quite intimidating. Everyone there was a regular, who knew exactly what to do, whereas I was a newcomer who tried to understand how the equipment ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Blurred vision during weightlifting
When I'm working out and have to lift some heavy weight, I find that I can do it much better if I close my eyes, like focusing on the movement, but I notice that no one is closing their eyes while ...
3
votes
3answers
850 views
Taking a break from weightlifting - how often?
I am doing exercises with weights 3 times per week. I started training 2 years ago and have made steady progress. I have lost weight gained strength. I had a very strict routine and I pushed myself to ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
What are some good 5x5 programs I can follow?
I'm looking to start a 5x5 program because I've heard that there are great benefits for beginners just starting to get into weight lifting. What are some good programs, and how can I pick the one ...
5
votes
2answers
552 views
What is the correct form for a deadlift?
I asked my gym instructor to check my deadlift form last night and he said I was doing it wrong. According to him:
My hips were too low at the starting position - he says the hips should be as high ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
How to replace the post-workout protein shake?
I always heard that the post-workout protein shake is the most crucial time to take fast-absorbing whey protein. I can't take a post-workout shake for these reasons:
I live 30 minutes away from the ...
9
votes
2answers
3k views
How much should I spend for olympic weights?
I'm willing to start some serious training at home. I'm totally new to weight lifting, but I'd still prefer to buy quality long-lasting equipement from the start, instead of wasting money into cheap ...
3
votes
1answer
446 views
Sleepiness after weightlifting but only after taking a week-long break
I've been lifting weights since January 2010. I typically follow one routine for six weeks and then take a week (sometimes two) off before starting a modified routine.
What I've noticed is that ...
12
votes
4answers
5k views
Cardio vs. Weight lifting. Which one is better for losing weight?
Cardio burns more calories during the exercise, but weight-lifting builds more muscle which in turn raises your RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate). I have a little over an hour to workout each day during ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Changing workout routine often vs. same workout
From your experience are there any benefits of changing your workout regimen often? As in experiences in muscle growth or weight loss?
I usually get in 3-4 times a week to weight lift.
I'm pretty ...
2
votes
1answer
684 views
Improving my Bench Press - what muscles are used during what phase?
I'm looking to improve my bench press and I'm having trouble about 1/4 way off my chest - can someone describe what muscles are primarily activated during each phase (break the movement down to 1/4's ...
-1
votes
1answer
217 views
What weight lifting belt would you recommend? [closed]
I'm currently using a good, but cheap, weight lifting belt - and looking to upgrade. I heard that one that is the same width all around is the best. Can you recommend a good one/brand.
2
votes
1answer
406 views
Avoiding hernia
Are there any precautions for avoiding hernia when performing weightlifting? When doing exercises at the preacher curl bench, it feels as if my organs are strained.
Can weightlifting belts aid in ...
5
votes
1answer
278 views
Sport Specific Lifts - Tennis
I joined, for the first time, a summer tennis league this year. I do a small amount of weight training still and would like to focus my lifting sessions more toward functional lifts that might ...
5
votes
1answer
690 views
Effective warm-up before weight lifting circuit
What's the most effective warm-up before doing my weight lifting circuit?
Is it better to warm up by doing 10 minutes on the elliptical cross-trainer or by doing a set using a light weight before ...
4
votes
2answers
547 views
Buying barbell / rack
I want to buy a barbell and a squat rack so I can lift at home but looking around there's so many to choose from its overwhelming. I just need to know:
Which brands are trusted and recommended?
...
6
votes
1answer
3k views
Bench Pressing vs. Push-ups
Does bench pressing work out the same muscles as push-ups?
If not, What's the difference?
8
votes
2answers
4k views
Should I Be Discouraged if my Muscles Aren't Sore After Exercise?
A day or two after exercise my muscles will sometimes be sore, "wonderfully sore" I'll say. I think this is common, and I know I've done a good workout when this happens. But sometimes, my muscles ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
I feel sleepy while doing weight training
Sometimes, I feel sleepy when I am doing my weight training. Is this natural? It doesn't happen all the time, only sometimes, I feel so tired that I feel like sleeping immediately afterwards.
5
votes
4answers
2k views
What are some good alternative shoes for strength training?
According to this article, the principles for a good weight lifting shoe has the following properties:
Not slippery
Incompressible soles
Excellent support
Snug fit
Among the cheapest alternatives ...
6
votes
3answers
430 views
barbell squat wrist problems
One of the aspects that the Starting Strength book emphasizes a good deal is that the wrists should be straight when doing the squat (see point 3, as well as the wrists of the guy in all the cartoons ...
8
votes
3answers
4k views
Troubleshooting “Body By Science” workout
I've been doing a workout inspired by Body By Science for the last 5 weeks. I can't do the whole book justice in a quick post, but in a nutshell it recommends doing a single set of 3-5 exercises ...
4
votes
2answers
291 views
does muscle build differently after 40?
I've heard than muscle builds at a different speed in people over forty and that it's necessary to use weights in a different way - specifically, with less weight and in shorter sets - for that ...
6
votes
2answers
435 views
How to establish a beginning weight program?
Background
After a long time being sedentary and amassing about 299 lbs peak, I decided to get serious about getting healthy. I first attacked my weight by diet and got down to about 210 lbs. Next ...
1
vote
2answers
869 views
Bicep curls, forearm down
What does doing bicep curls with forearms facing down achieve?
It seems that forearms facing up (standard way most people do them) exercise the "outer" bicep, while forearms facing down exercises an ...
3
votes
5answers
213 views
Working out while slightly ill
I'm a novice weight lifter, currently going to the gym 3 times/week for an hour each time. I recently came down with a head cold. I know that if I go to the gym I won't be able to hit my usual max ...
13
votes
7answers
4k views
My wrists and fore-arms hurt, what should I do?
I weight lifts daily and also do parkour and I tend to have problems with my wrists and forearms (edit: specifically it's my right wrist and my left forearm. my left wrist is completely OK and my ...
4
votes
4answers
260 views
Starting to lift weights - True commitment or start as I can?
I want to start lifting weights but I haven't because I've heard that, when you do start, you need to make a very true commitment. So I need to wait a couple of months for a few things to settle ...
1
vote
2answers
193 views
Aerobic VS Aerobic + Weight lifting
I've been doing lots of aerobic exercise to lose weight: almost 2 hours of vigorous boxing three times a week. I now want to dedicate more time to my regimen: should I complement that exercise with ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Need to gain strength to gain muscle?
I've been strength training 4 days a week for about 8 months. My goal is to increase mass. The usual recommendation for this is to do three sets of 8-12 repetitions for most exercises, and that's what ...
14
votes
3answers
2k views
Are “fast-twitch” and “slow-twitch” muscles actual scientific terms? If so, are they useful for the strength trainer?
When I first started to strength train in high school, one of the first things I remember reading in the weight room was this giant chart that highlighted areas of so-called fast-twitch and ...
4
votes
3answers
526 views
Crunches before or after sit-ups?
I use a machine to do 8-12 crunches to failure. I also like to perform sit-ups to failure (and I feel it in the front of my hips, not my abs). Does it matter in which order I do these two exercises?
...
8
votes
1answer
406 views
When do you recommend using a belt for deadlifts?
I've been trying to dead lift heavier (up to 380), but seem to have reached a plateau...the biggest obstacles seem to be my grip strength (thinking of using straps) and pressure on the lower back. Is ...
14
votes
3answers
19k views
How much protein should I eat on off-days?
I'm aware that eating protein is important on the day of your weight lifting session. The most important time to eat protein is right after the session. But I've never heard advice on when to eat and ...
8
votes
2answers
133 views
Change grip between sets?
Is it useful to change the grip between sets? If I'm doing lat pulldown or seated rows, is it helpful to switch from narrow to wide grip between sets? Or am I diluting the value of doing multiple ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
How long should a person stick to the same weightlifting routine?
I have heard various opinions on how long a person should stick to a weightlifting routine before changing it up. Some have mentioned 8 weeks, others 12 weeks. How long should duration be? Also, ...
5
votes
4answers
588 views
strengthing and improving flexibility in heels
I've got one of those lazy "Ididntexerciseinalongtime" heels which is causing improper form on my squats. I've spoken to some knowledgeable fellas at my gym and they pinpointed my weakness in my ...
18
votes
3answers
800 views
Shoes for Weightlifting
What shoes have you found to be most effective for exercises like squats and deadlifts etc.?
9
votes
5answers
921 views
Muscle building exercises without looking like the Hulk, think toned and defined
I'm looking to tone my body up and build muscle, but don't want to look like the Hulk or the chicken-legged guys with a huge upper body.
I would like to target:
Upper Body
Lower Body
Mid area ...
4
votes
2answers
501 views
One set weight lifting? [closed]
Timothy Ferriss has a lot of fitness and nutrition advice in the bestseller 4-hour body. He advocates one-set-only (per muscle group) workouts. Is that good advice?
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Weight vs resistance
I've always heard hardcore lifters saying that resistance is not the same as weight. Bascially that 100lb of resistance is not equal to 100lbs of weight. Imagine a bowflex vs a cable machine.
I'd ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
When Do You Stop Working Out?
I've always stopped when my muscles are moderately sore, but I've seen some people on this site say that soreness is not an accurate gauge of how good of a work out you got. How do I tell when my ...
1
vote
2answers
314 views
Advice on resting muscles
What is the suggested amount of time to rest muscle groups between workouts to prevent injury?
I want to tone (improve shapeliness of existing muscle) my body and workout on average 6 times/wk ...
43
votes
4answers
26k views
Is it healthy to exercise a muscle when it's still sore?
Is it healthy or is it damaging to exercise a muscle while it's still sore from a previous workout?
4
votes
2answers
200 views
Spreading workout into two
Would it be better to spread my workout into two different shifts, or better to do it all at once?
My focus is to lose fat, gain muscle.
I am 5'11", weight 185 lbs and I'm 26 years old. I currently ...
3
votes
2answers
414 views
Clicking and clicking noise with bench presses
When doing bench presses, both the left and right areas of my shoulders make this really loud clicking sound and it feels as if the bones are clicking against each other. This has been happening for ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Joint impact of ATG Squats
Various weightlifting and exercise resources either claim that ATG squats (a**-to-ground, i.e. as low as you can) are perfectly fine or claim they will destroy your knees in two sessions.
I was ...
15
votes
3answers
1k views
Do you need to “feel the burn” to become stronger?
If your goal is increasing strength, must you always train to the point where you feel the burn later?
17
votes
3answers
1k views
Protein: How much is too much?
I'm currently taking in 100 grams a day of protien via whey powder. I used to take 250 grams when I was training. I've read that you should intake 1 gram per pound of body weight you have when ...
4
votes
2answers
479 views
Bench press starting position - what should I be looking at?
In the link below, Mark Rippetoe of Starting Strength says that when positioning oneself for a bench press:
http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ:The_Lifts#The_Bench_Press
Your eyes should ...
